Reading With Jane Austen

So recently, I left the comforts of my suburban home and drove down to the Minneapolis Institute of Art to see their new exhibit, Jane Austen’s Reading Room (its curator is a fellow member of my local chapter of the Jane Austen Society of North America). This room, along with the Georgian Drawing Room, are part of the museum’s “living rooms,” historic interiors that illustrate how people lived in a particular place and time. The Reading Room was loosely inspired by the library in Chawton House, the home of Jane Austen’s wealthy brother, Edward. The room showcases books Jane Austen read in her lifetime, as well as copies of first editions of several of her books.

First Editions of Emma by Jane Austen.

The adjoining Georgian Drawing Room has been altered to recreate a scene from her novel, Emma, which celebrated its 200th birthday in December of 2015.

I attended with author-friend, Michelle Griep, who is so much fun to hang out with and who also writes novels set in the Regency era.

Interestingly enough, we ran into yet a third Regency era novelist (Candice Hern) there, and she gave us further insights into the period rooms and her favorite pieces.

With Candice Hern & Michelle Griep

We also joined an “Inspired by Books” tour during which a museum guide pointed out paintings that relate to the novel, Emma.

Afterward, Michelle and I enjoyed lunch and conversation together as only kindred spirits can. I left the museum
that day feeling a little richer for the dose of culture, seasoned with sweet friendship and savory conversation.

How about you? When was the last time you visited a museum or other “cultural” place or event?

JULIE KLASSEN loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. She worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her novels have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota.

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Comments

Sounds like a wonderful day! I almost felt like I was there with you, Julie!One of the reasons my husband and I chose to move to the city was for the culture it offers. You might not think of Wichita, Kansas as a hotbed of culture, but we actually have some really wonderful art museums and other historical sites. Also a beautiful botanical garden, and of course our Cowtown, an open-air, living history museum which recreates a Great Plains town from the 19th century. We haven’t been as consistent about frequenting these places as we intended, but it’s nice to be just minutes from them instead of an hour or more away as we were in our small town.

I love the idea of a museum offering ‘living room’s that give visitors a glimpse into historic time periods. What a great way to bring an era and its people to life! I often prod my family into visiting museums and other types of sites around Dallas and Ft Worth that we haven’t yet seen. I love exploring new things, and learning, and getting a dose of culture. I’m always the richer for it.

One of the quotes on my Pinterest board for writers says, “Taking time to live life will only inspire your work.” It’s so true! Our novels are better for it when we get out from behind our desks to see and do things.

How funny! I hadn’t even known there was a Jane Austen room at the MIA, but Katie and I went there on Sat., as part of a homework assignment for her, and we stumbled onto the Jane Austen room, which I enjoyed seeing. Just the night before, I’d visited an exhibit opening at my university’s art gallery – pottery decorated with Star Wars themed characters, from back when the original films were released. Two museums in one weekend, after a drought of several months prior to that. LOVE museums, just don’t make the time to go often enough. Thanks for the reminder, Julie!

This sounds so fun! I didn’t know there was a Jane Austen society! : ) I will have to check it out. . . thanks for letting us know! I am excited to put the MIA exhibit on our list. . . do you know how long it runs?
My daughter loved the Fairy Tale exhibit at the Swedish Institute.

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